Although dogs and cats remain by far the most common pet to rescue and adopt, other kinds of animals do end up in shelters. From farm animals to small rodents and even reptiles, there are plenty of options if you’re looking to bring home a different kind of furry or scaly — friend. While some of these animals end up in shelters because an owner moves away, plenty of them are abandoned by “impulse buyers” who change their mind after buying a needy breed of pig or chinchilla, experts say. For that reason, Dana Puglisi of AdoptaPet.com, which has listings for more than a dozen species of shelter animals, said that it’s important to read up on animal needs if you’re interested in adopting an atypical pet. “It’s very easy to look at an animal and say, ‘That’s such a cute animal, I want it to be a part of my life,” Puglisi tells NBC. “It’s another thing to take on the actual day-to-day responsibility for caring for that pet.” In addition, some states have restrictions on what kind of animal you can keep as a pet, so Puglisi said she also suggests checking local laws before reaching out to a shelter. Below are some of the unusual shelter animals you may not have known you could adopt:
Cows Holy cow, indeed! In areas with more farmland, shelters and sanctuaries like Animal Place in Grass Valley, Calif. may have cows that were rescued from factories. Be sure you have the space and resources to adopt a shelter cow, though, as they need at least 80 square feet of space and over 20 gallons of water a day.
Chinchillas According to ChinchillaRescue.org, chinchillas are noisy and nocturnal, so it’s best to avoid keeping them in their new owner’s bedroom. Since rescue chinchillas are of unknown parentage and may not be neutered, owners should plan to keep them apart from opposite-sex chins in order to avoid accidental breeding.
Pigs The right breed of pig can make for an adorable rescue animal — and a shelter is often the best way to find one. Puglisi said that more and more pig owners are abandoning their pets after being tricked into bringing home baby farm pigs that put on hundreds of pounds as they grow up. If you have the space, you can adopt one of these larger abandoned pigs, but shelters also have plenty of smaller breeds, like Vietnamese miniature pot-bellies.
Parrots Parrots (as well as other tropical birds like parakeets) are often left behind at shelters when owners move away or become unable to keep caring for these sometimes needy birds. As with some other animals on this list, though, be sure to check local regulations if you choose to adopt — parrots aren’t allowed to be kept as pets in some states.
Goats If there’s anything to learn from the recent goat yoga fitness craze, it’s that these farm animals can serve as fun, furry additions to the family. While regular-size goats can be found in some shelters, a few also have pint-sized pygmy goats up for adoption for anyone short on space. Who knows, they might even eat the weeds in your yard.
Horses Equestrian lovers can adopt either full-size or miniature horses, like Smooshy, a dwarf miniature horse adopted by actress Kaley Cuoco of “The Big Bang Theory.” Mini-horses in particular are seeing a surge in shelters right now, Puglisi said, as “impulse buyers” purchase and then abandon the horses they use to emulate celebrity horse owners.
Snakes From king snakes to corn snakes to Colombian boa constrictors, there’s plenty of shelter serpents snakes that you can adopt into your home. Most snakes are carnivores or omnivores, and they require a steady diet of other animals in order to be well-fed — so be prepared to keep “mousicles” inside your freezer.
Ferrets These tail-wagging mammals make for active, friendly pets to adopt or even house temporarily through foster programs for older or sick ferrets. Watch your fingers, though — ferrets are also known for biting.
Bearded Dragons They may not be quite like the Viking pets in “How to Train Your Dragon,” but shelter bearded dragons can let you support shelters while (sort of) living out a mythical animal fantasy. Sometimes known as “beardies,” these reptiles originated in central Australia and are often kept in zoos. They’re considered one of the easiest reptiles to care for, but still need a specific light pattern and large tank.
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Imagine the quandary a Central Florida restaurant manager faced when a woman walked in with a miniature horse. Table for two? This wasn't just any horse, after all. This one is a service horse with its own Facebook page: Honey the Mini Service Horse. In a world in which people have tried to pass off squirrels, peacocks, hamsters and ducks as service animals or "emotional support animals" in fights with landlords and airlines, the manager of an Ocala First Watch restaurant wasn't sure what to do about Honey. Or the woman who was hungry as a, well, you get the idea. So he called the breakfast restaurant's corporate office in University Park, Florida, for some guidance, the Orlando Sentinel reported. He found out Honey and her owner could be welcomed. (Is oatmeal on the menu?) There's a regulation that says so, the restaurant chain learned. "On Friday, June 15, a woman came into First Watch in Ocala with her miniature horse. When asked if it was a service animal, the woman confirmed that it was. "We brought her to a table, where the horse could stand against the wall next to her. Of course our team was a bit surprised, as we’ve never had anyone bring a service miniature horse into one of our restaurants. But we always to do our best to accommodate customers who have legitimate service animals," First Watch spokeswoman Eleni Kouvatsos said in an email to the Miami Herald. The Americans with Disabilities Act has specific regulations concerning service animals, which the ADA describes as "dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities." But the ADA's revised regulations from 2010 also contain a specific provision covering miniature horses, like Honey the Mini Service Horse. Miniature horses generally range in height from 24 inches to 34 inches measured to the shoulders and generally weigh between 70 and 100 pounds, according to ADA guidelines. In other words, the Triple Crown winner isn't going to be seated next to you as you graze on your Açai Bowl at First Watch. In part, the ADA regulation states: "Entities covered by the ADA must modify their policies to permit miniature horses where reasonable. The regulations set out four assessment factors to assist entities in determining whether miniature horses can be accommodated in their facility. "The assessment factors are whether the miniature horse is housebroken; whether the miniature horse is under the owner’s control; whether the facility can accommodate the miniature horse’s type, size, and weight; and whether the miniature horse’s presence will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation of the facility." Turns out Honey was a fine fit for this particular First Watch, Kouvatsos said. "The horse seemed to be in the owner’s control, to be housebroken, and not to propose any safety concerns for our other customers or staff in the restaurant, so while unusual, we were happy to accommodate." Honey lets her Facebook page speak for her. On Friday, her owner posted on her behalf: "Had a great meal ... or at least watched my handler have a great meal. Everyone was so awesome."
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This bizarre range of shoes may make the owner feel like they have one foot in the grave. Crafted from dead animals, Iris Schieferstein's outlandish designs fetch up to £3,900 ($5,051.94 U.S. dollars), and have proved a hit with extreme dressers such as Lady Gaga. Some of the most controversial pieces include a pair of sandals sporting stuffed doves with their wings spread wide and a collection of heels fashioned from hollow horse hooves. The 45-year-old designer, from Berlin, Germany, collects carcasses from her local butcher which are discarded after the meat is used for sausages. She spends a week stripping out any remaining meat and bones from the animal's feet and the skin is sent to a tanner to be treated for preservation. The sculptor then sets the skin - complete with fur still in place - around a shoe model before hand-stitching insoles and lining. She said: 'Creating the shoes is ugly work, taking the meat out is not nice, like any taxidermy. 'When I began working with dead animals I would pick them up from the street. 'But they are protected by the government in Germany, and so after ten years they tried to put me in prison. Now I use my butcher.' The horse boots feature horse fur, a zip up the front, an intact hoof and horse bone as a heel. While a pair of snakeskin stilettos feature a replica pistol as a heel with the reptile seemingly eating its own tail. Describing her inspiration Ms. Schieferstein added: 'I love horses and I love shoes so I thought this would be perfect. 'Horses have a beautiful walk and I wanted to recreate that with my footwear.' The footwear has been displayed at numerous exhibitions around the world and have even inspired a range from Dolce & Gabanna. Despite the high price tag the footwear can only be worn for several hours at a time before becoming too uncomfortable. Ms Schieferstein said: 'As yet no company has been willing to produce them for the high street.' Last year the artist made a pair of custom-fit shoes for Lady Gaga.
Extreme dressing: A pair of shoes featuring cream horse fur with a front zip and bone heel
Suffer for your art: The heels can only be worn for several hours at a time before becoming too uncomfortable
Macabre: This pair of snakeskin heels show a snake seemingly eating its own tail
Some of Iris Schieferstein's most controversial designs include a pair of sandals sporting stuffed doves
Sculptor and artist Iris Schieferstein has been using dead animals for her works, here she models a hat made from a dead bird
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QUANTICO, Md. — With a brisk wind blowing under gray skies, Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis stood in front of a farm trying to describe what he had just seen behind the house. "The siding — aluminum siding — was eaten off the house, and fiberglass insulation had been pulled out," said a visibly shaken Lewis on Saturday. "Those horses were so hungry, they had broken the glass sliding doors on the back of the house, trying to get in and find something to eat. There's mud and broken glass all around the back of the house." More than two dozen dead horses in varying degrees of decay were discovered at the farm and reported to the sheriff's office Friday morning, which is when an investigation at the 2.13-acre property began. The land is owned by Clayton P. and Barbara L. Pilchard, according to Maryland property records. Marjie Cancil, who lives near the farm, drove past Saturday afternoon and stopped to see what was happening. To read more on this story, click here:Starving Horses Ate Aluminum Siding Off House, Sheriff Says as Crews Clean Up Bodies in Maryland
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The city of Miami Beach shut down a nightclub on Friday after video surfaced showing a woman in a bikini riding a spooked horse into a crowd of people. The incident happened at the Mokai Lounge sometime between Wednesday evening and the early morning hours of Thursday, according to a city document obtained by HuffPost. Attendees at the event recorded the commotion and posted footage to social media. One video showed a man trying to pull the seemingly resistant horse into the club as a man and woman ride on top of the animal. A second video shows the woman on the horse amid a tightly packed crowd of people. The horse throws the woman off before slowly walking through the crowd as people cheer. To read more on this story, click here:Nightclub Shuts Down After Woman Rides Horse Into Crowd Of Partygoers
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A heartwarming example of how Mother Nature can produce wonders happened in May. Emma, a mother horse delivered a miracle, defining all the odds. Her owner got a pleasant surprise when Emma laid down to deliver her foal. According to the UC Davis Center for Equine Health, “a number of factors can affect a mare’s ability to conceive, maintain a healthy pregnancy and produce a healthy foal, including proper nutrition, preventive medicine, a routine program of parasite control and exercise.” According to the Center for Equine Health, although it is common for a high number of twin embryos to abort spontaneously within the first six weeks of pregnancy, approximately 80 percent of twin conceptions that are present after 40 days of pregnancy are aborted by the eighth month of pregnancy. Horses usually give birth to one horse per conception. It is not uncommon for them to conceive twins, but it is definitely extremely rare for both embryos to survive. What usually happens in this situation is that one of the two embryos takes over the other one during some point of the pregnancy, leading to the second embryo dying early. In other cases, the veterinarian will have to perform an abortion to remove the second foal in order for one of them to grow normally and healthy. According to the Center for Equine Health, late abortions can lead to significant complications, such as infection, trauma, reduced fertility during the next breeding, illness, and inflammation of the laminae. Veterinary surgeon Nicolas Jarvis, who works at a UK horse sanctuary, said: “Although mares quite often conceive twins, it is rare that both embryos survive. If you have two foals, they are vying for space and the chances of them coming out alive and well are slim.” This basically means that usually, the foals fight inside the womb for the growing space, and one usually wins the fight. To put things more into perspective, the survival rate of twin horses is a very low 10,000 to 1. For humans, the percentage of live twin births per year is approximately 27 percent. This means that there are approximately 1 billion twins on this planet. It seems to be a lot, but considering that there are approximately 7.4 billion people in total, the number remains pretty low. Twins, in general, are an uncommon phenomenon. For horses, this number is even lower than for humans. Having foals that are twins is, therefore, an extremely rare occurrence, a wonder of nature as one can call it. So, when Emma gave birth to twins, and both of them survived, both vets and the internet became amazed. It is the first set of documented twin foals since 2009, the last ones being Colby and Leo, a set of twin foals born in the UK. It had been almost 10 years since Mother Nature produced such a miracle. The twin foals are called Grace and Will, and they are in very good health. Even better, they are both expected to live happy and long lives, making them miracles of nature. According to the Center of Equine Health, when two live foals are delivered, there is a very high risk of foaling problems for the mother, as well as a high chance at a loss of life for both foals during their first two weeks of life. The owner of Emma was (and is still) stunned by the event and didn’t even know that Emma was carrying twins this entire time.
Lakeland, Florida - A central Florida woman was arrested on suspicion of riding a horse in the middle of a road while drunk. Donna Byrne, 53, was arrested on charges of DUI and animal neglect after she was found riding the horse on Combee Road near North Crystal Lake Road in Lakeland. Deputies said Byrne reeked of alcohol, had red, watery eyes and was staggering. Deputies said she provided breath samples that showed she had a blood alcohol level of 0.157 and 0.161, about twice the legal limit of 0.08 in Florida. "Ms. Byrne was obviously not in any condition to be on the road," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "She not only put herself and the horse in danger, but also anyone who was driving on the road, which is typically very busy." Authorities said Byrne was charged with animal neglect because she did not provide proper protection for the horse, which she put in jeopardy of being injured or killed. The Sheriff's Office said Byrne's criminal history includes five felony and 10 misdemeanor charges, including cruelty to animals, drug possession and a probation violation. The horse was taken to the Polk County Sheriff's Animal Control livestock facility.
A recent study showed that there are more pets than children in American households. Amazed? Statistics say that there has also been an increase in the number of Indian families opting for pets. Keeping pets at home has several benefits — and if you're among those who has always wanted to keep a pet, let us convince you to go ahead and get one home! Pets can enhance your mood Whether you believe it or not, pets are a great way to improve your mood and temperament. Research has shown that people who suffer from various diseases have lesser chances of depression if they keep pets as compared to those who are suffering from similar diseases and don't keep pets. Help to control blood pressure Health experts say that dog owners have less blood pressure and heart rates. This eventually reduces the need to take medicines and also helps reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A source of exercise Want someone who will accompany you for walks? Dogs can be great companions and will happily go out for walks, at times even urging you for a walk, when you're too tired, thereby keeping you active and fit. Other activities related to pets like feeding, bathing, playing and cleaning are also good ways to exercise. An antidote for loneliness No matter how low or lonely you keep, a pet will always be there for you. Whether you want to pour your heart out to them or tell them your secrets, you know it's all safe with them! Pets give you unconditional love and are always faithful. Reduce stress Stressed out? Pets are known to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Experts say that people can get relieve from stress and depression, if they spend time with their pets. Long life Several studies have revealed that people who tend to spend their time with pets are more likely to live longer than people who don't. Better social skills Want to improve your social skills? It is said that people who keep pets are said to be good in their social relations. Kids who grow up with pets at home are always respectful towards living things. Safety Having a dog at home is especially good because they also double up as caretakers. No burglar alarm can be better than a dog at home!
Although people may not think “fitness” when they consider taking the reins, horseback riding can be a serious butt-kicking workout. It may look like the horse is getting all the exercise, but it takes balance, strong legs, and a stable core to stay in the saddle. This old school hobby is an awesome way to spend some quality time in the great outdoors and get beyond a basic gym routine. Before hitting the trails, check out Greatist’s guide to horsing around. From the Horse’s Mouth — The Need-to-Know Since people first hopped into the saddle around 3500 BCE, horses and humans have been inseparable partners in crime. When the automobile (aka “horseless carriage”) got popular in the late 1800s, horses became used for recreation, not work. These days most people pony up to exercise, compete, or just have fun. The first step before heading to the barn is deciding which style of riding to try. Most stables teach English style or Western style, although some places offer both. So what’s the difference between English and Western? The two styles use different equipment (aka “tack”), which affects the rider’s position and communication with the horse. English tack is smaller and less bulky, which makes for closer contact between the horse and rider. Western saddles were originally used by cowboys on long cattle drives, so they’re built for comfort and stability with a deep seat, long stirrups, and a saddle horn for looping a lasso (or hanging on!). To read more on this story, click here:Know Before You Go: Horseback Riding
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Minneapolis, Minnesota — An unassuming pony is at the center of controversy in central Minnesota. Pam Davidson calls him Tony the Wonder Pony, but city leaders in Clarissa and Eagle Bend say he can’t stay in city limits any longer. WCCO-TV dug into the debate that one woman’s been trying to rein in for months. Some might find it strange to share 800 square feet with a 300-pound Shetland pony. Bizzare or not, Davidson wouldn’t want it any other way. “We’re all different people in this world. We’re all different people. And Tony is different, and I’m different,” Davidson said. Diagnosed with depression and anxiety, Davidson calls Tony “the Wonder Pony” for what he’s done to turn her life around. “He helps me like you would not believe,” she said. “This animal has kept me from dying. This animal has help me become active. This animal has got me out of my bed room where I locked myself away for a year-and-a-half after my sister died.” Davidson says her pony is housebroken since he came from another family who raised him indoors. She’s had Tony since May as an emotional support animal. “I have letters from my doctors,” she explained. Despite mental health professionals weighing in, it took just a few days to hear from the cities of Clarissa and Eagle Bend where she lives and spends her time. “All farm animals including all types of horses are prohibited from the city limits,” reads one letter. Clarissa’s city administrator didn’t want to be on camera but told WCCO-TV the emotional support title differs from a full-fledged service animal. They’re not entitled to the same protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, citing safety as a concern, he said a truck driver was forced to brake when he found Tony wandering near the highway this summer. Davidson has offered to build a fence and not take her pet into businesses where he’s not wanted anymore. “They won’t listen to me. They won’t listen to me,” she said. Davidson doesn’t want to move but vows to do whatever it takes to protect the pony that she says has done the same for her. “I’m not going to give up fighting,” she said. “I’d rather be homeless. I’m not going to let him go.” Davidson has ignored the city of Clarissa’s request to get rid of Tony. She has until Thursday to appeal a decision in Eagle Bend that denied her a variance for her pony. Either city would need a court order to physically remove Tony from town.
The US House Appropriations Committee met to mark up and vote on the Fiscal Year 2018 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The passage of this bill for the past decade has included language that effectively outlaws horse slaughter in the United States by blocking funding for the USDA to pay inspectors for horse slaughter facilities, but today’s passage will go without that amendment. Lucille Roybal-Allard, a Democrat from California, pushed for the inclusion of the renewed ban, but the move was defeated in a 27-25 vote. Horse slaughter plant inspectors will continue to be unfunded through September 30 of this year; it remains to be seen whether US slaughter facilities will move to reopen after that date. While slaughter is currently outlawed by default in the US through the lack of inspector funding, horses still fall into the so-called “slaughter pipeline” and are shipped to Mexico or Canada (as well as shipped overseas less commonly) with meat typically sold to European markets. Many supporters of US horse slaughter argue that re-legalizing slaughter in this country would reduce the suffering of animals being shipped over the border; opponents to slaughter argue that there is no such things as “humane horse slaughter” regardless of where the animal is taken. Horse slaughter has been a contentious issue in the horse world and the political world for years, with strong arguments to be made on both sides for the health of the industry. Regardless of whether you are for or against horse slaughter, this development will certainly have far-reaching effects in the horse industry in the coming year.
Frederik The Great, a breathtakingly beautiful Friesian stallion from the United States, may just be the world's most handsome horse. Sharing his name with the ruler of Prussia from 1740-1786, the highly acclaimed horse has a muscular build, striking black features and flowing mane. The beautiful stallion is owned by Pinnacle Friesians where he stands at stud in the Ozark Mountains in the US. With a Facebook fan page of more than 12,500 followers and a blog to his name, the stunning stallion has amassed quite a hefty fan following. So popular is the horse that an online gallery featuring artwork of him has been created. A breathtaking video shot recently shows Frederik galloping freely, with his long black mane billowing in the wind. 'That hair! It's like someone crossed a horse with the hunky lead from a romance novel,' Boredom Therapy wrote. The equine treasure's legacy will continue with his first offspring born in August 2015. Vaughn, a Friesian colt, shares the same striking appearance as its father and at just nine months old is completely adorable. Frederik The Great commands a stud fee of more than AUD$7,500. By comparison, Frankel, one of the world's greatest ever racehorses, has a service fee of more than AUD$250,000. Fans of Frederik The Great have expressed their love for the handsome horse. “Frederik, you are the most beautiful horse that I have ever seen. Only God could create such artistry. Breath taking & magnificent,” one person wrote. “There will NEVER be a more majestic, handsome, sexy horse on the face of the earth. Never, ever. I wish I could just touch and 'smell' him just once,” wrote another. He's the real life Black Beauty.
Drawing comparisons: “It's like someone crossed a horse with the hunky lead from a romance novel,” Boredom Therapy wrote, putting Frederik (left) in the same league as heartthrob Fabio Lanzoni (right)
Being a pet in America is a plum gig. Pets are incredibly well loved: according to a 2015 Harris poll, 95% of owners think of their animal as a member of the family. About half buy them birthday presents. And it's a two-way street. People who have pets tend to have lower blood pressure, heart rate and heart-disease risk than those who don't. Those health boons may come from the extra exercise that playing and walking require, and the stress relief of having a steady best friend on hand. Scientists are now digging up evidence that animals can also help improve mental health, even for people with challenging disorders. Though the studies are small, the benefits are impressive enough that clinical settings are opening their doors to animal-assisted interventions--pet therapy, in other words--used alongside conventional medicine. "It used to be one of the great no-no's to think of an animal in a hospital," says Alan Beck, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, citing the fear of causing infection. "Now, I don't know of any major children's hospital that doesn't have at least some kind of animal program." The rise of animal therapy is backed by increasingly serious science showing that social support--a proven antidote to anxiety and loneliness--can come on four legs, not just two. Animals of many types can help calm stress, fear and anxiety in young children, the elderly and everyone in between. More research is needed before scientists know exactly why it works and how much animal interaction is needed for the best results. But published studies show that paws have a place in medicine and in mental well-being. "The data is strong," Beck says. "If you look at what animals do for people and how we interact with them, it's not surprising at all." Here's a look some of the cutting-edge science in the field. Rabbits In one study, a stressed-out group of adults were told to pet a rabbit, a turtle or their toy forms. The toys had no effect. But stroking a living creature, whether hard-shelled or furry, relieved anxiety. It worked for people regardless of whether they initially said they liked animals. Crickets Animals don't have to be cuddly to help. In a 2016 study published in the journal Gerontology, elderly people who were given five crickets in a cage became less depressed after eight weeks than a control group. The act of caring for a living creature seems to make the difference. Horses Among the most-studied therapy animals, horses have been involved in medical treatment plans in Europe since the 1860s. Activities like grooming a horse and leading one around a pen have been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents. Fish Animals can focus people's attention. When people at an Alzheimer's-disease facility dined in front of aquariums with brightly colored fish, they ate more, got better nutrition and were less prone to pacing. They were also more attentive and less lethargic. Dogs Some research suggests that when children who struggle with reading read aloud to a trained dog and handler, they show fewer anxiety symptoms. "Their attitudes change and their skills improve," says Lisa Freeman, director of the Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction. Guinea pigs Animals make socializing easier for kids who find it stressful, says Maggie O'Haire of Purdue. In her study, when children with autism had a guinea pig in the classroom, they were more social with their peers, smiled and laughed more, and showed fewer signs of stress.
Shelter workers found this pony in a sad state of neglect, with hooves curled around his feet, making it nearly impossible to walk. They were amazed that the pony could even walk off the trailer. When he arrived at a shelter in Belgium, his hooves were so long, they curled around themselves. It seemed this pony was saved just in time. A healthy horse, or pony, has their hooves trimmed every few weeks. But this poor pony had been forgotten about, starved and unkempt, living in a makeshift shelter. When the pony was picked up, along with another horse, they stood on a mound of manure nearly two feet high. The owner finally handed over the pony and horse to the authorities and they were brought to Animaux en Péril, a local sanctuary in Belgium. Rescuers couldn’t believe a pony could survive like this. Not only were his hooves in such bad shape but he was 200 pounds underweight. A healthy Shetland Pony should weigh 450 pounds, he only weighed 154 pounds. Both Poly and his mate, now named Everest, underwent extensive grooming. They were both shampooed and sheared to rid them of lice and dirt, their hooves were trimmed, then they were wrapped in blankets to keep them warm. Both Poly and Everest have a long way to go– but each day they are with people who love and care for them, their futures are looking so much brighter.
Recreating the wild wild west out of discarded farm equipment, South Dakota-based artist John Lopez’s amazing metal sculptures will blow your mind! Check them out below: Eco-friendly and full of personality, these welded figures perfectly capture the iconography of the American West — a bison, a horse with a plow, a Texas Longhorn — a past reconfigured out of recycled materials. Lopez began his career as a bronze sculptor, but realized the versatility of scrap metal when he forged a family grave for his deceased aunt. It creates a unique aesthetic, a kind of mishmash punk sensibility in his beautiful and imposing artwork. It pays respect to the past while also playing with the idea of renewing and reconfiguring familiar imagery into something completely different. Where have you seen a cowboy riding a dinosaur before? “My favorite part about these pieces is the texture,” explains Lopez. “I just start grabbin’ stuff from the pile and welding it, in and if you weld enough of the same thing on over and over it creates this really cool texture that I’ve never seen in these kinds of pieces before. And I think that’s what draws people in.” Blurring the line between organic, artificial, and symbol, Lopez’s art is sure to leave an impact! It’s striking how well they blend into the Midwestern scenery.
